Chapter 290 The court assembly ends, and the emperor and his ministers have a heart-to-heart talk.

Suppressing Buddhism?

The assembled officials gasped in shock.

Wei Zheng is trying to establish his authority by making an example of someone!

He was warning everyone...

If you want to use underhanded methods to deal with the Wei family, you must be prepared to pay the price!

The Imperial Observatory is useful to the Tang Dynasty; it cannot be destroyed!

Taoism was the ancestor of Li Shimin, so it could only be suppressed, not eradicated!

Only Buddhism.

Those who leech off the people's hard-earned money are inherently despicable.

If this actually happens...

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Xiao Yu immediately stepped forward to retort: ​​"Buddhism is a non-confrontational religion. Launching an attack on them rashly would cause turmoil throughout the world!"

Li Shimin didn't even look at the other person.

At times like these, Lao Wei will naturally smooth things over for him.

"Xiao Yu".

Wei Zheng stepped forward and said, "I know you are filial and devoted to Buddhism."

"But Buddhism has extended its reach into the imperial court, attempting to harm high-ranking officials; its crime is unforgivable!"

Xiao Yu turned to look at Wei Zheng.

He was a devout believer with an unparalleled devotion to Buddhism.

"Wei Zheng!"

Xiao Yu's eyes were filled with madness: "You abused your power for your son and framed Buddhism. Aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning?"

"Struck by lightning?"

Wei Zheng, however, didn't care at all and instead burst into laughter.

Soon, his eyes narrowed.

"I have always acted with a clear conscience!"

"If you have the guts, let lightning strike you and see if it can harm me in the slightest!"

well.

Old Wei really dares to speak his mind...

"Disrespecting the will of Heaven, you, Wei Zheng, are heretical!" Xiao Yu pointed at Wei Zheng, gritting his teeth.

What is the will of Heaven?

Wei Zheng pressed on, saying, "In my heart, the will of the people is the will of Heaven!"

"The people have said..."

"Buddhism spreads heresies, imposes exorbitant taxes, arbitrarily seizes land from the people, and evades taxes..."

"Such heinous acts are intolerable to Heaven and Earth!"

Wow.

Everyone was shocked.

One by one, they began to whisper among themselves.

This is a really serious crime; if he's not careful, he could actually be killed by Wei Zheng.

"You're talking nonsense!"

Xiao Yu's beard trembled with anger: "Stop spouting nonsense if you have no evidence!"

"evidence?"

Wei Zheng couldn't help but sneer.

He didn't!

but……

Li Shimin had already obtained it a few days ago.

"Your Majesty!"

Just then, Li Junxian stepped forward and handed over a large stack of papers.

"This is evidence of the malicious encroachment on land by Buddhist temples in the surrounding prefectures of Chang'an!"

Um?

Everyone turned to look at Li Junxian.

Now they understood.

This wasn't Wei Zheng trying to destroy Buddhism; it was Li Shimin taking action against Buddhism.

"You bastard!"

Li Shimin pretended to read through it for a moment, then slammed his hand on the table.

His face was filled with a strong sense of menace...

"Your Majesty, these may be a few bad apples," Xiao Yu insisted.

As a devout believer, one cannot always judge things by common sense.

"individual?"

Wei Zheng responded with a cold laugh: "The prefectures surrounding Chang'an, apart from the officials' fertile land, have almost all been seized by them. You think this is an isolated case?"

“The people’s devotion to Buddhism is entirely voluntary,” Xiao Yu argued.

"How dare you, Xiao Yu!"

"You don't care that Buddhism is framing officials."

"You don't care about Buddhism's land acquisitions."

"You don't care about Buddhism's tax evasion."

"You don't care about Buddhism gathering people to make money."

“You have spoken up for Buddhism time and time again.”

"Is your salary paid by the imperial court or by the temple?"

Swish.

Xiao Yu's expression changed drastically.

He seemed to have forgotten that this was the imperial court, and even more so, that he was an official.

"besides……"

"You didn't donate a single penny when the earthquake struck Chang'an, but you donate boxes and boxes of money to Buddhist temples every year..."

"Are they your father or your mother? Do they deserve such filial piety?"

Xiao Yu's face had turned deathly pale.

It's okay to believe in Buddhism.

Being obsessed with him to this extent is going too far.

That's enough.

Just then, Li Shimin stopped the two from arguing: "Minister Xiao, you are too obsessed with Buddhism. Go home and recuperate for half a year."

"His Majesty……"

Xiao Yu wanted to argue a few more points.

"Step back!"

Li Shimin coldly rebuked him.

Seeing that Li Shimin was serious, Xiao Yu had no choice but to act.

Without Wei Zheng, he could have argued his case more forcefully.

But with Wei Zheng around, there was no way to win an argument.

As for being dismissed from his post as prime minister, he didn't care at all.

If we were to talk about who was the most resilient in the entire Tang Dynasty, it would undoubtedly be Xiao Yu.

He was dismissed from his post as prime minister six times and reinstated six times!

By the seventh year of the Zhenguan era, he had been dismissed three times.

"His Majesty."

Just then, Fang Xuanling stepped forward again: "Buddhism has made considerable contributions to the Tang Dynasty. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider."

Huh?

Fang Xuanling stepped forward to plead for leniency again.

What the heck is this?

Soon, some of the ministers understood the significance of it.

The Jiangnan region is currently in the midst of war, and forcibly suppressing Buddhism could cause a series of unnecessary troubles.

"What do you think, my dear minister?" Li Shimin asked.

"Buddhism has had a great influence on the Tang Dynasty. I believe we should punish it slightly as a warning to others," Fang Xuanling replied respectfully.

play.

Continue the performance.

The ministers murmured amongst themselves.

"How can we use a small punishment to deter a larger one?" Li Shimin asked again.

“The land that Buddhist temples have forcibly acquired can be ordered to be returned.”

"But since a mistake has been made, it must be punished."

"Regarding the taxes on these lands, I propose that they be exempted from punishment if they pay five times the original price!"

Five times.

That's ruthless.

Li Shimin had only been on the throne for seven years, but he suddenly extended it by five years.

This is going to be a severe blow to Buddhism.

"allow."

Li Shimin nodded: "Wang De, draft the decree... I have built temples and devoutly worshipped Buddha, but I have been deceived. My heart is deeply pained..."

As Li Shimin's decree was issued.

"Cheng Yaojin, listen to my command!"

Suddenly, Li Shimin shouted again.

"Your subject is here!"

"The Imperial Observatory, Taoism, and Buddhism are spreading rumors that are affecting the stability of the nation..."

"I order you to arrest everyone on the list and bring them to justice!"

"Anyone who resists or harbors such a person shall be killed without exception!"

Li Shimin's voice was filled with endless coldness.

Since Wei Zheng offered him advice and strategies, he naturally had to exonerate Wei Zheng.

Most importantly...

The Imperial Observatory, Buddhism, and Taoism extended their influence into the imperial palace and even into the hands of the officials.

We must make an example of them.

"Yes, sir!" Cheng Yaojin accepted the order.

"Do any of you gentlemen have anything else to report?"

Just when everyone thought the matter was over, Changsun Wuji stepped forward again...

"His Majesty!"

"Wei Zheng entered the Taiji Hall carrying a dagger; I humbly request Your Majesty to punish him!"

Um?

Everyone was stunned.

Are you out of your mind?

With Lao Wei's current momentum so strong, do you still dare to criticize him against the wind?

Why do you all look at me like that?

Changsun Wuji said righteously, "If Wei Zheng is not severely punished today, what will happen if everyone follows suit in the future?"

Okay.

You're so stubborn, you think you're right no matter what you say.

“Wei Zheng, as a court attendant, brought a sharp weapon into the palace, knowingly breaking the law, and his crime was compounded.”

"But considering Wei Zheng's merit in accepting advice, his merits and demerits cancel each other out, so let's just let this matter go."

Li Shimin spoke at length, but ultimately did not take any action.

The ministers nodded.

I told you so.

How could His Majesty possibly punish Old Wei?

Wait... why are we nodding?

Now that we've finally caught Lao Wei red-handed, shouldn't we go along with it and sentence him to a life sentence in jail?

Damn it.

Such a great opportunity was missed.

"Do any of you gentlemen have anything else to report?"

Li Shimin asked again.

The morning court session ended when no one else spoke.

Taiji Hall.

All the ministers withdrew.

Li Shimin and Wei Zheng stood at the entrance of the Taiji Hall, gazing at the scenery of the imperial palace...

“Xuancheng…” Li Shimin suddenly spoke up.

"Your subject is here!"

Wei Zheng bowed to Li Shimin.

"There are some things that I cannot say in court, such as the matter of Shuyu..." Li Shimin hesitated before speaking.

Wei Shuyu's strange behavior in the Taiji Hall, where he killed several imperial guards, was something he witnessed firsthand.

If this matter is not discussed openly, a rift will develop between the ruler and his ministers.

"Your Majesty, I understand your meaning."

Wei Zheng nodded: "But Your Majesty..."

"Did the gods or Buddhas offer you any help in ascending to the throne?"

No.

Li Shimin ascended to the throne entirely because of his own ruthlessness.

"May I ask Your Majesty again?"

"No matter how brave and powerful a person is, can he conquer the world?"

no.

In the face of a massive army, individual bravery is utterly useless.

"This is my final question for Your Majesty."

Do you believe I would rebel?

Um?

Li Shimin suddenly turned around and looked at Wei Zheng.

Won't!

In Li Shimin's heart...

Anyone in the court could potentially rebel, but Wei Zheng was the only one who wouldn't.

Firstly: Wei Zheng offended all the officials in the court, so who would follow him?

Secondly, the power behind Wei Zheng was Shandong.

Historically, Shandong has never produced an emperor!

Shandong is a sacred land of Confucianism.

Confucianism has always maintained a neutral stance.

Li Shimin would rather believe that the Confucian family would rebel than believe that the Confucian school would support Wei Zheng's rebellion.

"Your Majesty, I am your subject!"

"Shuyu's path will not deviate even slightly."

"If he dares to harbor even the slightest disloyalty, Your Majesty need not take action."

"Your Majesty, I will uphold justice and even sacrifice my own family, presenting his head before you..."

"But Shuyu did everything for the Tang Dynasty."

"If Your Majesty still harbors reservations..."

"Your subject is willing to die in your son's place."

"I only beg Your Majesty to spare Shuyu's life..."

Wei Zheng bowed solemnly to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin stared at Wei Zheng for a long while before letting out a long sigh.

"Xuancheng, there's no need for that."

Li Shimin stepped forward and helped him up.

However……

Wei Zheng, however, remained bowed and motionless.

“Xuancheng”.

Li Shimin exerted force again.

Wei Zheng remained motionless.

Damn it.

Li Shimin's temper flared up immediately.

You little bastard.

I'm still moved by your righteousness and loyalty.

You're a damn traitor and a villain.

"I hereby pardon Shuyu!"

Li Shimin flicked his sleeve and withdrew his hand from his aid.

"His Majesty."

Wei Zheng finally spoke, but remained bowing: "Shuyu has done nothing wrong, why should he be pardoned?"

"..."

Grass.

When I call you a treacherous minister and a rebel, I am actually praising you.

You're a bastard.

That's a huge bastard!

Li Shimin's expression changed unpredictably...

Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he glared fiercely at Wang De, who was serving him.

Wang De, like a frightened bird, stumbled back several steps.

He slammed into the wall with a thud and fell down.

He dusted himself off, got up, and continued backing away...

Only after retreating about twenty steps did he begin to gaze at this direction from afar.

"I was too blind this time, and almost harmed Shuyu," Li Shimin said softly after his lips twitched for a long time.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Wei Zheng straightened up abruptly.

"Your Majesty, the weather is getting colder. Please don't catch a cold. It's time to return to the palace..."